One of the oldest neighbourhoods in Inverness, it's situated in the city's north-west flanked by the Caledonian Canal to its west and River Ness to its east.

Merkinch first appears in writing during the reign of King Alexander II, when it was granted by royal charter to the burgh of Inverness.

As part of this, the area was required to contribute "one pound of pepper" (or risk a fine of nine shillings) to the city every Michaelmas.

In Merkinch, a march was organised through the area and neighbouring Muirtown (another working-class neighbourhood), led by a 12-year-old drummer boy named John Fraser.

The January protests were a direct result of potato prices skyrocketing at the market on Academy Street, it being a staple food both for rural and urban lay-folk.